Outlaws lacrosse takes down Colts

The boys' lacrosse team's strong and steady play led them to a decisive 8-2 victory over the Thurston Colts on Saturday, April 28. Thurston entered the game 8-3 with an average of 10 goals per game and the Outlaws were able to hold them to just two goals.

Scott Nelson scored Sisters' first goal of the contest with an assist from Beau Fitzke in a man-up situation.

Coach Bill Rexford said, "Our extra-man situations have been delivering. We capitalized on 50 percent of our opportunities. It's nice to make them pay for their mistakes."

Sisters controlled the ball the remainder of the quarter and out-shot the Colts 13-3. Thurston managed to get a loose ball on a clear and finish a one-on-one with goalie Brennan Layne. The quarter ended in a 1-1 tie.

At the start of the second quarter the Outlaws scored a quick goal from Gabe Rietmann on the crease thanks to a Fitzke assist. That was the lone goal scored in the quarter, and at the half Sisters held a 2-1 lead.

Sisters out-shot Thurston 21-7 and had 28 groundballs while the Colts recorded 18.

Rexford told The Nugget that the third quarter was his favorite of the day. Sisters didn't score, but neither did the Colts, and at one stretch the Outlaws were down a man for three minutes. With the game on the line, Sisters' defense stepped up their play and goalie Layne withstood 12 shots on goal during that three-minute period of play.

"Going into the game yesterday our defense was ranked No. 1 in the state, and we saw why in that third quarter," stated Rexford.

At the start of the fourth quarter Sisters still held a slim 2-1 advantage.

Rexford said, "With this group, I was confident that if they kept their ACE (Attitude, Concentration, Effort) we could finish this game with a win."

Finally, what had been hard to do for three quarters became easier, and the Outlaws scored six times in the final quarter. William Saunders led the fourth-quarter scoring with two goals, and Drew Corrigan, Nelson, Reitmann and Fitzke all chipped in one.

Rexford gave special kudos to a few of his players.

"Connor Morgan finished the day with 10 groundballs," said Rexford. "He has a season of experiences in each game. He is where the action is. Colton Cooper, Jacob Biber, and Porter Ford are getting better every game and they are already playing at a very high level."

With the win, the Outlaws pushed to an 11-3 record. They were to face Mt. View on Tuesday, May 1. The team will serve the community in what they call Warrior Service Day three days later. Rexford said that the Outlaws will pay forward all the goodwill given to their team by cleaning up and improving Reed Stadium, and conclude the day with a 7 p.m. game against Summit Friday night.